asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to deal with the problem regarding Irish in the group certificate examination where one-third of the marks are allotted to an oral test and two-thirds to a written test and a candidate is required to obtain at least 30 per cent in the oral test to qualify for an overall grade D in the subject or for a higher grade and if a candidate obtains less than 30 per cent in the oral test he will not be awarded a grade in the subject irrespective of the marks obtained in the written test.
Written Answers. - Group Certificate Irish Examination.
436.
The purpose of the regulation referred to is to insure that adequate emphasis is placed on the attainment of proficiency in the spoken language.
The terms of reference of the interim Curriculum and Examinations Board contain a specific remit to make recomendations regarding a new unified assessment system to replace the present intermediate and group certificate examinations. I have no plans for an alteration in the meantime in the curent regulations dealing with the allocation of marks for the oral Irish test in the group certificate examination.